Another player insists that part of the strategy can be hiding your plastic trains so that the other players do not know how many trains you have left. Are you allowed to keep your trains hidden in your pocket, for example, or do they need to be visible to the other players at all time?

Another player insists that part of the strategy can be hiding your plastic trains so that the other players do not know how many trains you have left. Are you allowed to keep your trains hidden in your pocket, for example, or do they need to be visible to the other players at all time?

No, they have to stay visible at all times. Everyone can see how close players are to ending the game.

Of course, you could play your own version with hidden trains, if you wanted to.

I think this is a question related more to game ethics to be honest. I cannot remember if there is a specific rule that states it. However, before any game I join, I ask up-front, that once ANY player gets down to 5 or 6 trains remaining, he/she MUST notify all other players so they can adjust their strategy wisely. It is only the fair and ethical thing to do. This is not like a zombie game, where you are hiding all your zombies before an attack to get an advantage. This game is meant to be played fair, and notifying all players that you are nearing the point of placing all your trains is fair play. Similar to the honesty rule in real life Golf. Part of the game is the trust to play fairly. Hiding your trains after you near endgame is something many would consider sleazy tactics. ( yes, we all know we can count, but "really??" should you force that upon your friends to make it tedious has bad results in the long run

My father when he first started playing, would love to hide his trains, however, he knew that once he got down to the 5 or 6 train rule we had, he would proudly claim his last few trains with a huge grin on his face.

This game, was literally a nightly event. Very rarely did a weeknight, or weekend go by without him insisting on the family play 2 to 4 sessions of TTR. Usually Europe, as it was always more balanced. After he passed away, the family actually left 3 of his favorite trains in the chest pocket of his suit. he really did love and enjoy the game that much.